Tisch Children’s Zoo at 25 October 2, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, petting zoo, photography, Photography Workshop, Sea Ducks, Tisch Children's Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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September was the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Tisch Children’s Zoo as an addition to the Central Park Zoo. The zoo was designed especially for children age 6 and under, allowing little animal lovers to meet gentle creatures up close. The “Enchanted Forest” features a petting zoo with goats, sheep and a cow that the kids can feed. I remember opening day very well and it is still one of my favorite spots at the zoo. I dedicate today’s montage to many of our beloved Tisch animals both past and present. Enjoy this trip down memory lane with some of our favorite animals such as Othello, Otis and Oliver, Beet, Turnip, Sid, Frankie and Milo, Curly, Abe, Spot, Major Mitchell’s and the Kookaburras. Want to visit Tisch? Come to my photo session at the Central Park Zoo. It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. https://centralparkzoo.com/learn/adults/adult-programs. 
Don’t Bug Me! September 25, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Museum of atural History, animals, Central Park Zoo, Insects, Leon Biss, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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The exhibit Extinct and Endangered at the Museum of Natural History is fascinating, beautiful and amazing. British photographer Leon Biss has created eye popping, way larger than life (some are over 8 ft wide) photos of insects. ‘Photographs in Extinct and Endangered are created from over 10,000 individual images using a bespoke camera system and microscope objectives, with the final artworks revealing intricate details normally hidden from the human eye’. This exhibit is available with general admission tickets. Go see it and avail yourself of this photographic wonder. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. https://centralparkzoo.com/learn/adults/adult-programs. See you there! 
Int’l. Red Panda Day September 18, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. It is celebrated to spread awareness about a species that is near extinction. The day was launched by the Red Panda Network in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day. On our many zoocations we have come across lots of red pandas with Tennessee seeming to have the most. Other than being absolutely adorable it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of a red panda. Speaking of photos, I am happy to announce the the Central Park Zoo will once again be holding adult photo sessions after a two year hiatus. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there!
#42 September 11, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: baseball, Brooklyn Dodgers, Central Park Zoo, Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinson Museum, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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True story. I was at a Brooklyn Dodgers game at Ebbets Field with my father sometime in the ‘50s. We were in the parking lot going to our car when we met Jackie Robinson, chatted and then got his autograph. He seemed to me the tallest person I had ever seen and as it turns out…one of the nicest. The Jackie Robinson Museum opened last week and what a thrill it was to visit. There’s a whole lot to know about this amazing man. He was a family man, an activist for social justice, an incredible ball player and soldier. In a ceremony before the April 15, 1997, game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, the baseball commissioner declared that No. 42 – Robinson’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers – would be permanently retired throughout Major League Baseball. It was also fun to speak to the other visitors about our experiences as Brooklyn Dodger fans (both old and young). Please visit – you will not be disappointed (even if you are a Yankees fan). Speaking of fun – after a two year hiatus, the Central Park Zoo is happy to bring back our photo classes. This time we feature my favorite – PUMPKINS! It is being held on Sunday October 23rd and you can sign up here. See you there!
Farm to Table September 4, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, farm to table, NYC, photography, produce, Union Square Greenmarket
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The Union Square Green Market has been around since 1976. I like to stroll thru the market even though I admit to not being a good cook and I am also a picky eater. That said, I still love the color, form and design found at all of the food and product stands. Enjoy!
The Cat’s Meow August 28, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, black footed cat, Brooklyn, Hamadryas baboons, nature, NYC, Pallas Cat, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, Sand cats, wildlife, Zoos
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If you love small cats as much as I do then trot on over to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo. They now have Pallas, Black-footed and Sand cats. What a treat. The zoo suffered terrible damage last year during Hurricane Ida but it is now fully restored and open every day. You can also see their new red panda, new baboon troop and much more. I admit to some bias as this was the zoo of my childhood. Check it out for yourself – you will not be disappointed.
Rise and Shine August 21, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Chrysler building, Empire State Building, NYC, One Vanderbilt, photography, The Summit, World Photography Day
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To celebrate World Photography Day my pal Robyn and I attended a special sunrise opportunity at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This was our third visit to this amazing observation deck. Getting there by 5AM was challenging but apparently hundreds of other photographers decided to do the same thing. I have never seen so much camera gear and accessories. It was a fun experience but we probably do not need to repeat it. Like City views? Check out our first visit in November of 2021 here. Still like views? Check out our second visit here. 
A Coney Island of the Mind August 14, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Coney Island, Nathans hot dogs, nature, NY Aquarium, NYC, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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“I once started out to walk around the world but ended up in Brooklyn, that Bridge was too much for me.” – I adore Coney Island. I have precious, fun memories of time spent at Coney Island and the New York Aquarium as a kid. I even recall when the NY Aquarium opened in its present location in 1957. The history of the NYAQ is quite interesting. I try to get to Coney Island every few months and never fail to go to Nathan’s for lunch. Ten years after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area the New York Aquarium is finally fully reopened and well worth your time to visit. Don’t forget to visit Nathan’s too. Yum!
34th Anniversary of the Central Park Zoo August 7, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 34th anniversary, animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, Gus the polar bear, nature, NYC, photography, Snow Leopard cubs, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 32 of those 34 years (that is probably how I know most of you). Thought I would share some photos of our wonderful animals both past and present. See how many you recognize. The zoo began in the 1860s as a menagerie. The zoo or menagerie (as it was called) started inside and around the Arsenal (built in 1848 – which now houses our WCS administrative offices and the NYC Parks Dept). The zoo was modified in 1934 as part of the WPA with the addition of many new buildings arranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. In a contract with NYC, the zoo was completely renovated in the mid-1980s and with much fanfare, reopened on August 8th, 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments. Check out some great photos from the early days of the zoo. https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/zoos/central-park-zoo. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
Stone Zoo in 2022 July 31, 2022
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, hyrex, photography, Porcupette, Sloth, Stone Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies
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Last month’s trip to New England also had us visiting the always improving Stone Zoo. We were lucky to discover a pre-hensile tailed porcupine mom and her baby porcupette who had been born the previous evening. Sometimes you just get lucky. It was a fun visit.
While at the Zoo 